Today I want to share another fun Sizzix die, the Bigz Scoreboards XLMake-It 3D Box die. This die is very versatile, and can be used with other dies that you already own to make a lot of fun projects. Here are some examples —

There are three basic pieces to this die — one creates a kind of square box, and the other two are strips that are used to join two shapes together to create a shaped box. This die is just so easy to use! It is designed to work with Bigz and Bigz L and Bigz XL dies, but it is capable of so much more. I used it with some Thinlits and other wafer thin dies. I didn’t find many things that wouldn’t work with this 3D die set.

My first projects were easy ones. I began with the cupcake, a simple box. I cut two cupcakes from white cardstock, and then separately cut the “wrapper” and the “frosting” pieces for the front and back of a box. I used embossing folders to add some dimension to these pieces. I also cut one of the strips from the Make-It 3D Box die, the longest of the 3 dies. I decorated each of my cupcakes, and then I attached the 3D strip to one of them. I began by matching the bottom of the cupcake to the base of the strip (the longest section found in the middle of the die cut). To attach the strip, I placed some Angel Craft 1/4″ tape on each of the tabs and pressed them into place. I found that I needed to cut the top tab off on each side in order to fit the box (the cupcake box is fairly short and doesn’t need the full die cut. I followed a similar process to attach the first cupcake and 3D strip to the second cupcake to form the box. The cherry on top of the cupcake is on the die with the cupcake. I added sequins to both sides, and an Elizabeth Crafts Designs “happy birthday” sentiment. Here are pictures of the finished cupcake box.

For the owl box, I cut each of the pieces in chipboard, and then used Angel Craft Podge to attach a patterned paper to the two chipboard owls. I also cut the Make-It 3D strip from chipboard, the same strip that I used for the cupcake. I love the versatility that you have with the Sizzix Bigz dies — you can cut so many different materials with them. I assembled the owl and decorated it, and then I turned it into a box using the same process described for the cupcake. This time there was no need to trim a piece off of the 3D strip, the owl was enough taller to use the full piece. I decided to punch a hole in each side of the box and add a piece of twine so that it could be hung up, or could be carried as a bag, etc. I ended up with a very sturdy chipboard box. Here are some pictures —

I tried something different for the elephant — I wanted to see if you can join two of the 3D strips together to make a wider box. You can! Yay! To make the elephant box I cut two of the elephant pieces (it is easiest to cut the two together, right sides facing), and two of the 3D strips (the same one I’ve been using). I used the following process to attach the two strips together: 1) cut two of the 3D strips from white cardstock; 2) cut the tabs from one side of one of the strips; 3) match the strips and determine how they will best join together; 4) add Angel Craft 1/4″ adhesive to attach the two together. I usually put the side with the center tab join toward the inside of the box. I attached the two elephants together using the same process as described above. Please also see my short video for more information on how I assembled this gift bag. Here are pictures of the elephant —

I used the Elizabeth Craft Designs “It’s a Boy/Girl” die to add the “It’s a Girl” sentiment to the flag. Note this is all cardstock. I thought it might be fun to use it as table decoration — probably to do that effectively I’ll need to cut it from either chipboard or whiteboard so that it is sturdy enough to carry something in the mid-section.

Now it was time to try something different. I remembered a Christmas die, Jingle Cut-Out. This is a Thinlits die that is designed to cut an A-2 card with the word “jingle” die cut from the middle. I thought it would be perfect for a sort of candle screen. So I used the Jingle Cut-Out die to cut a piece from ivory cardstock. I trimmed this down to 3.75″ x 5″ so that I could add a couple of layers. I also cut a piece of vellum 3.75″ x 5″ to place behind this piece. I attached the two together using Angel Craft 1/4″ tape (be sure to tape down the “dangling” pieces left behind as the word jingle is cut out). My next step was to make the card layers. I cut the base 4.25″ x 5.5″ (A-2 sized), and a layer 4″ x 5.25″. I used one of my Framelits Rectangles dies to cut a hole in the center of the base and layer that was large enough to expose the word “jingle”. I added the jingle and vellum layers to the other layers in the card. For this project, I used the square box die from the 3D set. My thought was to attach it to the back of the card to hold a small flameless candle. The light from the candle will shine through and light up the cut-out word. Here are some pictures of the jingle card —

My last two projects feature the 3D die and the Tim Holtz Alterations Window & Window Box die. I thought it would be fun to make some little window boxes. These could be used to make ornaments for each member of the family. They could be decorated with something a little different to make it special for the gift recipient. My first one is a holiday window box. I started by cutting the window, and then a piece of plain cardstock 3″ x 4″. I also cut out one of the 3D strips, this time the most flexible one (there are die notches and score lines every 1/2″ on this one). I needed several strips because this time I’m closing the box in. I found it best to cut four of the strips, and then trim each one to fit a side, or the top or bottom, of the box. I attached the 3D strips to the 3″ x 4″ of cardstock. Now it is time to decorate the box — I selected my cardstock background (this could also be a die cut background) and attached it to the inside of the back of the box, covering the tabs. I added a few appropriate miniatures, using a couple of glue dots to hold them in place. Once I was happy with the inside of the box, it was time to add the window front. Before attaching the window, I cut a piece of clear plastic 2.75″ x 3.5″ to fit behind the window itself. I used Angel Craft 1/4″ tape to attach the window to the box back (you need to be a little careful to avoid disturbing the placement of the miniatures. I added a bow to the front and a quick ribbon hanger in the back (note that there are so many things that you could do to make the window cuter by adding some greens and bows, distressing it, etc.). Here’s a look at the holiday window box

Of course you could use any theme for your window box ornament — here is one with a garden theme.

So that’s it — the Sizzix Make-It 3D Box die. Isn’t it a lot of fun? Remember that it works with the dies you already have to make 3D boxes. I hope that you can see a lot of possibilities for using it with the dies that you have in your stash. It is such a versatile die! It certainly is a way to get more out of the things that you already have — a great way to s – t – r – e – t – c – h your dies. Please see my short video for a closer look at my projects, and a demonstration of how the die works.

Oh I’m excited to share with you today! I not only have a start to finish on today’s video to peak you’re creative vibe but also two other cards I created to give you loads of inspiration. I’m so glad you stopped by.

Today I’m featuring Spellbinders Victorian Arch dies along with Graphic 45′s Steampunk Debutante, Gilded Lady and Artisan Style paper collections. Since I’d been hoarding what little I had left of the Steampunk Debutante I was so happy to see Graphic 45 bringing it back in the new Collector’s Edition (this is a pre-order so get your order in today so you’ll get it as soon as it’s available). The Collector’s Edition will not only include twelve 12×12″ double sided papers but also chipboard, which is a new release, and cardstock stickers. I chose 5×7″ cards today using a Kraft card base for two and white for the third.

If you are familiar at all with the Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante collection you’ll know it comes with whimsical designs just perfect for this off the wall card. I chose to cut my Victorian Arch twice, once with the cutting die only (the outer edge) and once with both dies in place. By doing this, which I did for all three of my cards, you can back your decorative lacy front panel of the arch with a background piece. To me this just made the die cuts pop as you can see from how it looks on the black cardstock above.

I took the corseted lady from the paper, fussy cut her and then used Angel Craft semi-gloss Podge to adhere her to black cardstock and fussy cut her again leaving a narrow black edge. I love doing this to pieces I fussy cut out, the black just helps the image pop off the page. I used Wink of Stella in clear on the corset and than added some small seed pearls to act as corset buttons.

The sentiment is from Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Just Thoughts stamp collection. I stamped it with Spellbinders Celebra’tions Berry Black ink on the Kraft cardstock and then inked the edges with black and slipped it behind the lady. On the opposite end I’d fussy cut the top hat, applied several layers of the Angel Craft semi-gloss podge and then made a tiny slit on the left hand side so I could slip it over the edge of the sentiment.

This collection has the greatest images like this leg and foot, I had to put it somewhere don’t you think! I also added a strip of the ladies to the lower left hand corner. These I cut with a stamp edge pair of scissors around the outer edges. I used the Martha Stewart Deco Fan corner punch on the four corners of the decorative mat.

As you know I like to finish the inside of my cards as well. This time I used the mannequin with wings, a pieced mat (using three scraps of paper) and a tuck in note using another of the Just Thoughts stamps. The tuck in is folded so there’s lots of room to add my own personal message to the recipient.

Well I just don’t think I can leave you without a few sneak peeks of the other cards I did, they’ll be a lot more photos on the video so be sure and join me there. Using the Graphic 45 collections Artisan Style and Gilded Lily here’s some more inspiration for you using this fabulous Spellbinders Victorian Arch die set. Notice the flowers on the Gilded Lily card, they’re cut with the Heartfelt Creations Blazing Poppy die.

Thanks everyone for joining me I hope you have a great craftin’ time!

Patti
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